Barney Frank to announce he is not running for re-election in 2012

Congressman Barney Frank is scheduled to hold a press conference at Newton City Hall today at 1 p.m. to announce he will not seek re-election next year, according to a press release.Frank lives in Newton and is serving his 16th term representing the Fourth Congressional District in the House. He is th...

By Chloe Gotsis

Wicked Local

By Chloe Gotsis

Posted Nov. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 28, 2011 at 5:16 PM

By Chloe Gotsis

Posted Nov. 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 28, 2011 at 5:16 PM

Newton

» Social News

Congressman Barney Frank is scheduled to hold a press conference at Newton City Hall today at 1 p.m. to announce he will not seek re-election next year, according to a press release.

Frank lives in Newton and is serving his 16th term representing the Fourth Congressional District in the House. He is the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and has recently been holding a series of town halls around his district calling for cuts in military services spending.

Frank announced in January that he planned on running for re-election in 2012, identifying his top two issues as defending the Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act, which he said was under attack "by those who oppose meaningful regulation and who would undermine it" and addressing "excessive military spending."

In April Frank made news when he publicly urged Newton Mayor Setti Warren not to run for U.S. Senate saying it was too soon - 15 months into his first term - for the mayor of his hometown to run for the seat. Frank told GateHouse media editors and reporters during an editorial board meeting last month that he doesn't regret his decision to publicly speak against Warren running for Senate.

Warren released a statement Monday morning thanking Frank for his service to the district.

"From his years on the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and throughout his tenure as Representative from the Fourth Congressional District, Congressman Frank has demonstrated an unrivaled commitment to fighting for equal opportunity and improving the quality of life for all communities," Warren said."

"He has been a true friend to the City of Newton," he continued. "It has been a great honor to work with Congressman Frank, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

John Walsh, the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, said in a statement Monday that Frank will "take his place in history as a shining son of Massachusetts.

"Barney has been a tireless advocate for justice and equality who has stood up for Massachusetts' fishermen, fought for economic development on the SOuth Coast and provided the driving force behind landmark Wall Street reform," Walsh said in the statement.

Page 2 of 2 - Walsh also noted in statement that the state Democratic party will put forth an even bigger grassroots movement than it did in 2010 and "continue to move Massachusetts forward."

Frank and his staff will not answer any questions about his announcement prior to the press conference, according to the press release.